Automatic identification of instruments used with a surgical navigation system

ABSTRACT

A system and apparatus taught to determine the identification and selected information relating to surgical instruments near a reader. The information can be stored on a member operable to transmit the information to a reader at a selected time. The information can be used in a navigation system to assist in navigation of the instrument relative to a patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is filed concurrently with U.S. Patent ApplicationNumber (Attorney Docket No. 5074A-000084) entitled, “MULTI-CONFIGURATIONTRACKING ARRAY AND RELATED METHOD”; and U.S. Patent Application Number(Attorney Docket No. 5074A-000086) entitled, “AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATIONOF TRACKED SURGICAL DEVICES USING AN ELECTROMAGNETIC LOCALIZATIONSYSTEM.” The disclosures of the above applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

A system for identification and information transfer regarding asurgical instrument, and particularly to a system providing specificinformation regarding a particular surgical instrument in a navigationsystem.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Surgical procedures are often performed on various patients in variousoperating theaters at different times. Many instruments can be reusedfor different operations on different patients over a series ofoperative procedures. Also, multiple instruments can be used in a singleoperation procedure on a single patient. It may be desirable to provideinformation relating to a specific instrument or attachment to aninstrument among the multiple instruments in a single operating theater,or a single procedure, or among multiple procedures with a singleinstrument.

Systems may be provided that allow for general tracking information tobe collected relating to particular surgical instruments. Theinformation can be transferred to a computer to determine the locationof a selected instrument in an inventory, a manufacturer of aninstrument, or the like. The information relating to the instrument,however, is generally limited to information relating only to inventorytracking information or limited identity information.

It is desirable, however, to provide more detailed information relatingto a particular surgical instrument or attachment therefore. Forexample, it is desirable to ensure information relating to calibration,size, etc. are always provided and correct.

SUMMARY

A system can provide information to a surgical navigation and/ortracking system for use by the navigation system in tracking andnavigating a surgical instrument. For example, calibration information,size information, configuration information, and the like can betransferred to a navigation system from a specific instrument directly.The information can include information specific to a particularprocedure about a particular instrument to allow for precise tracking ofthe instrument during a procedure. The system can also allow forrewriting the information to insure an up-to-date information,particular procedure information, and the like are always provided andcorrect.

According to various embodiments, a system to determine informationrelated to a selected member in a surgical navigation system fornavigating a procedure relative to an anatomy is disclosed. The systemcan include a surgical instrument operable to perform a surgicalprocedure on the anatomy and having an identification member includingselected information related to the surgical instrument and a trackingdevice associated with the surgical instrument. A tracking system cantrack a location of the tracking device. A navigation processor candetermine the position of the surgical instruction based upon thetracked position of the surgical device and determine an identity of thesurgical instrument based upon the identification member. Also, adisplay can display an icon representing the specific surgicalinstrument.

According to various embodiments a system to determine informationrelated to a selected member In a surgical navigation system fornavigating a procedure relative to an anatomy is taught. The system caninclude an information tag operable to receive and transmit selectedinformation and an information tag reader that can at least one of read,write, or combinations thereof information of the information tag. Asurgical instrument can be associated with the information tag whereinthe information tag includes information specific to the surgicalinstrument. A navigation system can be used with a communication systemthat interconnects the information tag reader and the navigation systemwherein information read from the information tag is transmitted to thenavigation system. Also, a display can display information regarding thesurgical instrument based upon the information read by the informationtag reader from the information tag.

According to various embodiments a method of using a system to determineinformation related to a selected member in a surgical navigation systemfor navigating a procedure relative to an anatomy is taught. The methodcan include providing a surgical instrument and associating aninformation member with the surgical instrument. Data can be stored onthe information member describing characteristics of the surgicalinstrument. The data from the information member can be retrieved andthe retrieved data can be provided to the surgical navigation system.The provided information can be used during an operative procedure.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a surgical navigation systemaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of an information reading systemaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a multi-piece surgical system;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of multi-piece surgical system according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method according to various embodiments fortransferring information;

FIG. 6A illustrates an information reader and a display according tovarious embodiments; and

FIG. 6B illustrates an information reader and a display according tovarious embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

A guided procedure can be performed with a navigation system 20,illustrated in FIG. 1. The guided procedure can be any appropriateprocedure, such as a cardiac procedure, ENT, neural procedure, spinalprocedure, and orthopedic procedure. The navigation system 20 caninclude various components, as will be discussed further herein. Thenavigation system 20 can allow a user, such as a surgeon to view on adisplay 22 a relative position of an instrument 24 to a coordinatesystem. The coordinate system can be made relative to an image, such asin an image guided procedure, or can be registered to a patient only,such as in an imageless procedure.

It should further be noted that the navigation system 20 can be used tonavigate or track instruments including: catheters, probes, needles,guidewires, instruments, implants, deep brain stimulators, electricalleads, etc. Moreover, the instrument 24 can be used in any region of thebody. The navigation system 20 and the various instruments 24 can beused in any appropriate procedure, such as one that is generallyminimally invasive, arthroscopic, percutaneous, stereotactic, or an openprocedure. Also, the instrument 24 is only exemplary of any appropriateinstrument and may also represent many instruments, such as a series orgroup of instruments. Identity and other information relating to theinstrument 24 can also be provided to the navigation system 20. Further,the information about the instrument 24 can also be displayed on thedisplay 22 for viewing by a surgeon 121.

Although the navigation system 20 can include an exemplary imagingdevice 26, one skilled in the art will understand that the discussion ofthe imaging device 26 is merely for clarity of the present discussionand any appropriate imaging system, navigation system, patient specificdata, and non-patient specific data can be used. Image data can becaptured or obtained at any appropriate time with any appropriatedevice.

The navigation system 20 can include the optional imaging device 26 thatis used to acquire pre-, intra-, or post-operative or real-time imagedata of a patient 28. The illustrated imaging device 26 can be, forexample, a fluoroscopic x-ray imaging device that may be configured as aC-arm 26 having an x-ray source 30 and an x-ray receiving section 32.Other imaging devices may be provided such as an ultrasound system, amicroscope, magnetic resonance image systems, computed tomographysystems, etc. and reference herein to the C-arm 26 is not intended tolimit the type of imaging device. An optional calibration and trackingtarget and optional radiation sensors can be provided, as understood byone skilled in the art. An example of a fluoroscopic C-arm x-ray devicethat may be used as the optional imaging device 26 is the “Series 9600Mobile Digital Imaging System,” from OEC Medical Systems, Inc., of SaltLake City, Utah. Other exemplary fluoroscopes include bi-planefluoroscopic systems, ceiling fluoroscopic systems, cath-labfluoroscopic systems, fixed C-arm fluoroscopic systems, isocentric C-armfluoroscopic systems, 3D fluoroscopic systems, etc.

An optional imaging device controller 34 can control the imaging device26 to capture the x-ray images received at the receiving section 32 andstore the images for later use. The controller 34 may also be separatefrom the C-arm 26 and/or control the rotation of the C-arm 26. Forexample, the C-arm 26 can move in the direction of arrow 26 a or rotateabout a longitudinal axis 28 a of the patient 28, allowing anterior orlateral views of the patient 28 to be imaged. Each of these movementsinvolves rotation about a mechanical axis 36 of the C-arm 26.

The operation of the C-arm 26 is understood by one skilled in the art.Briefly, x-rays can be emitted from an x-ray section 30 and received ata receiving section 32. The receiving section 32 can include a camerathat can create the image data from the received x-rays. It will beunderstood that image data can be created or captured with anyappropriate imaging device, such as a magnetic resonance imaging system,a positron emission tomography system, computed tomography, or anyappropriate system. It will be further understood that various imagingsystems can be calibrated according to various known techniques.Further, a C-arm tracking device 38 can be provided to track a positionof the receiving section 32 at any appropriate time by the navigationsystem 20.

The image data can then be forwarded from the C-arm controller 34 to anavigation computer and/or processor 40 via a communication system 41.The communication system 41 can be wireless, wired, a data transferdevice (e.g. a CD-Rom or DVD-Rom), or any appropriate system. A workstation 42 can include the navigation processor 40, the display 22, auser interface 44, and a memory 46. It will also be understood that theimage data is not necessarily first retained in the controller 34, butmay be directly transmitted to the workstation 42 or to a trackingsystem 50, as discussed herein.

The work station 42 provides facilities for displaying the image data asan image on the display 22, saving, digitally manipulating, or printinga hard copy image of the of the received image data. The user interface44, which may be a keyboard, mouse, touch pen, touch screen or othersuitable device, allows a physician or user to provide inputs to controlthe imaging device 26, via the C-arm controller 34, or adjust thedisplay settings of the display 22.

While the optional imaging device 26 is shown in FIG. 1, any otheralternative 2D, 3D or 4D imaging modality may also be used. For example,any 2D, 3D or 4D imaging device, such as isocentric fluoroscopy,bi-plane fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), multi-slicecomputed tomography (MSCT), T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), T2 weighted MRI, high frequency ultrasound (HIFU), positronemission tomography (PET), optical coherence tomography (OCT),intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS), ultrasound, intra-operative CT, singlephoto emission computed tomography (SPECT), or planar gamma scintigraphy(PGS) may also be used to acquire 2D, 3D or 4D pre- or post-operativeand/or real-time images or image data of the patient 28. The images mayalso be obtained and displayed in two, three or four dimensions. In moreadvanced forms, four-dimensional surface rendering regions of the bodymay also be achieved by incorporating patient data or other data from anatlas or anatomical model map or from pre-operative image data capturedby MRI, CT, or echocardiography modalities. A more detailed discussionon optical coherence tomography (OCT), is set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,740,808, issued Apr. 21, 1998, entitled “Systems And Methods ForGuiding Diagnostic Or Therapeutic Devices In Interior Tissue Regions”which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Image datasets from hybrid modalities, such as positron emissiontomography (PET) combined with CT, or single photon emission computertomography (SPECT) combined with CT, can also provide functional imagedata superimposed onto anatomical data to be used to confidently reachtarget sites within the patient 28. It should further be noted that theoptional imaging device 26, as shown in FIG. 1, provides a virtualbi-plane image using a single-head C-arm fluoroscope as the optionalimaging device 26 by simply rotating the C-arm 26 about at least twoplanes, which could be orthogonal planes to generate two-dimensionalimages that can be converted to three-dimensional volumetric images. Byacquiring images in more than one plane, an icon representing thelocation of an impacter, stylet, reamer driver, taps, drill, deep brainstimulators, electrical leads, needles, implants, probes, or otherinstrument, introduced and advanced in the patient 28, may besuperimposed in more than one view on the display 22 allowing simulatedbi-plane or even multi-plane views, including two and three-dimensionalviews.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the navigation system 20 canfurther include the tracking system 50 that includes a localizer 52(e.g. a coil array or multiple coil arrays), a coil array controller 54,a navigation interface 56 for an instrument tracking device and adynamic reference frame 58. The dynamic reference frame 58 can include adynamic reference frame member or holder 60 and a removable trackingdevice 62. Alternatively, the dynamic reference frame 58 can include atracking device that is formed integrally with the dynamic referenceframe member 60. One skilled in the art will understand that thetracking device 62 can be any appropriate device that can be an emitter,a receiver, a reflector, a sensor to sense a field, or any otherappropriate device that can be tracked by a tracking system including alocalizer.

The transmitter coil array 52 may also be supplemented or replaced witha second localizer 52 a. The second localizer 52 a may be one such asthat described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/941,782, filedSept. 15, 2004, now U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/0085720, and entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SURGICAL NAVIGATION”, herein incorporated byreference. As is understood the localizer array can transmit signalsthat are received by the dynamic reference frame 58, and a trackingdevice 94. The dynamic reference frame 58 and the tracking device 94 canthen transmit signals based upon the received signals from the array 52,52 a.

It should further be noted that the entire tracking system 50 or partsof the tracking system 50 may be incorporated into the imaging device26. For example, one of the localizers can be incorporated into theimaging device 26. Incorporating the tracking system 50 may provide anintegrated imaging and tracking system. Any combination of thesecomponents may also be incorporated into the imaging system 26, whichcan include any appropriate imaging device.

The transmitter coil array 52 can be attached to the receiving section32 of the C-arm 26. It should be noted, however, that the transmittercoil array 52 may also be positioned at any other location as well. Forexample, the transmitter coil array 52 may be positioned at the x-raysource 30, within or atop an operating room (OR) table 84 positionedbelow the patient 28, on siderails associated with the OR table 84, orpositioned on the patient 28 in proximity to the region being navigated,such as on the patient's chest. The coil array 52 can be used in anelectromagnet tracking system as the localizer therefore. Thetransmitter coil array 52 may also be positioned in the items beingnavigated, further discussed herein. The transmitter coil array 52 caninclude a plurality of coils that are each operable to generate distinctelectromagnetic fields into the navigation region of the patient 28,which is sometimes referred to as patient space. Electromagnetic systemsare generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,820, entitled “PositionLocation System,” issued Jun. 22, 1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,939,entitled “Method and System for Navigating a Catheter Probe,” issuedJan. 14, 1997, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The transmitter coil array 52 is controlled or driven by the coil arraycontroller 54. The coil array controller 54 drives each coil in thetransmitter coil array 52 in a time division multiplex or a frequencydivision multiplex manner. In this regard, each coil may be drivenseparately at a distinct time or all of the coils may be drivensimultaneously with each being driven by a different frequency, asdiscussed further herein. Upon driving the coils in the transmitter coilarray 52 with the coil array controller 54, electromagnetic fields aregenerated within the patient 28 in the area where the medical procedureis being performed, which is again sometimes referred to as patientspace. The electromagnetic fields generated in the patient space inducecurrents in the tracking devices 62, 94 positioned on or in theinstruments 24. These induced signals from the instrument 24 aredelivered to the navigation device interface 56 and can be forwarded tothe coil array controller 54. The navigation device interface 54 mayprovide all the necessary electrical isolation for the navigation system20, as discussed herein. The navigation device interface 56 can alsoinclude amplifiers, filters and buffers to directly interface with thetracking devices 62, 94 in the instrument 24. Alternatively, thetracking devices 62, 94, or any other appropriate portion, may employ awireless communications channel, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,474,341, entitled “Surgical Communication Power System,” issued Nov.5, 2002, herein incorporated by reference, as opposed to being coupledwith a physical cord to the navigation device interface 56.

When the navigation system 20 uses an EM based tracking system, variousportions of the navigation system 20, such as tracking devices 62, 94,that can be associated with the (DRF) 58 and the instrument 24, areequipped with at least one, and generally multiple coils that areoperable with the EM localizer arrays 52, 52 a. Alternatively, thetracking system 50 may be a hybrid system that includes components fromvarious tracking systems such as optical, acoustic, radiation, radar,etc.

The tracking device 94 on the instrument 24 can be in a handle 122 (FIG.3) or inserter that interconnects with an attachment 124, 126, 128 (FIG.3). The instrument 24 may assist in placing a screw implant 142, 144,146 (Fig. 4), a prosthesis 147 (FIG. 4), or driving a selected portion.The instrument 24 can include a graspable or manipulable portion at aproximal end and the tracking sensor device and can be fixed near themanipulable portion of the instrument 24 or at a distal working end, asdiscussed herein. The tracking device 24 can include an electromagneticsensor to sense the electromagnetic field generated by the transmittercoil array 52 that can induce a current in the tracking device 94.

The dynamic reference frame 58 of the tracking system 50 can also becoupled to the navigation device interface 56 to forward the informationto the coil array controller 54. The dynamic reference frame 58,according to various embodiments, may include a small magnetic fielddetector as the tracking device 62. The dynamic reference frame 58 maybe fixed to the patient 28 adjacent to the region being navigated sothat any movement of the patient 28 is detected as relative motionbetween the transmitter coil array 52 and the dynamic reference frame58. The dynamic reference frame 58 can be interconnected with thepatient 28 in any appropriate manner, including those discussed herein.Any relative motion is forwarded to the coil array controller 54, whichupdates registration correlation and maintains accurate navigation,further discussed herein. If the dynamic reference frame 58 iselectromagnetic it can be configured as a pair or trio of orthogonallyoriented coils, each having the same center or may be configured in anyother non-coaxial or co-axial coil configurations.

The dynamic reference frame 58 may be affixed externally to the patient28, adjacent to the region of navigation, such as on the patient'scranium, etc., as shown in FIG. 1. The dynamic reference frame 58 can beaffixed to the patient's skin, by way of a selected adhesive patchand/or a tensioning system. The dynamic reference frame 58 may also beremovably attachable to a fiducial marker 69. The fiducial markers canbe anatomical landmarks or members attached or positioned on thepatient's 28 body. The dynamic reference frame 58 can also be connectedto a bone portion of the anatomy. The bone portion can be adjacent thearea of the procedure, the bone of the procedure, or any appropriatebody portion.

Although the discussion above is directed to an electromagneticnavigation and tracking system, it will be understood that anyappropriate tracking system can be used as the tracking system 50. Forexample, one skilled in the art will understand that an optical trackingsystem can be used, a radar tracking system can be used, an acoustictracking system can be used, an accelerometer tracking system can beused, or any appropriate tracking system. Nevertheless, the trackingsystem can include any appropriate portions such as an appropriatelocalizer for the tracking system and appropriate tracking devices forthe tracking system. Thus, the discussion herein regarding anelectromagnetic tracking system is merely exemplary of any appropriatetracking system.

Briefly, the navigation system 20 operates as follows. The navigationsystem 20 creates a translation map between all points in the image dataor image space and the corresponding points in the patient's anatomy inpatient space. After this map is established, the image space andpatient space are registered. In other words, registration is theprocess of determining how to correlate a position in image space with acorresponding point in real or patient space. This can also be used toillustrate a position of the instrument 24 relative to the proposedtrajectory and/or the determined anatomical target. The work station 42in combination with the coil array controller 54 and the C-armcontroller 34 identify the corresponding point on the pre-acquired imageor atlas model relative to the tracked instrument 24 and display theposition on display 22 and relative to the image data 23. Thisidentification is known as navigation or localization. An iconrepresenting the localized point or instruments is shown on the display22 within several two-dimensional image planes, as well as on three andfour dimensional images and models.

To register the patient 28 the surgeon 121 may use point registration byselecting and storing particular points from the pre-acquired images andthen touching the corresponding points on the patient's 28 anatomy witha pointer probe or any appropriate tracked device, such as theinstrument 24. The navigation system 20 analyzes the relationshipbetween the two sets of points that are selected and computes a match,which allows for a determination of a correlation of every point in theimage data or image space with its corresponding point on the patient'sanatomy or the patient space.

The points that are selected to perform registration or form atranslation map are the fiducial markers 69, such as anatomical orartificial landmarks. Again, the fiducial markers 69 are identifiable onthe images and identifiable and accessible on the patient 28. Thefiducial markers 69 can be artificial landmarks that are positioned onthe patient 28 or anatomical landmarks that can be easily identified inthe image data. The artificial fiducial markers 69, can also form partof the dynamic reference frame 58, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,381,485, entitled “Registration of Human Anatomy Integrated forElectromagnetic Localization,” issued Apr. 30, 2002, herein incorporatedby reference. It will be understood that the “X” illustrated in FIG. 1can merely indicate a position of a fiducial marker 69 rather than beingthe fiducial marker 69.

The system 20 may also perform registration using anatomic surfaceinformation or path information as is known in the art (and may bereferred to as auto-registration). The system 20 may also perform 2D to3D registration by utilizing the acquired 2D images to register 3Dvolume images by use of contour algorithms, point algorithms or densitycomparison algorithms, as is known in the art. An exemplary 2D to 3Dregistration procedure is set forth in U.S. Ser. No. 10/644,680, filedon Aug. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2004-0215071, entitled“Method and Apparatus for Performing 2D to 3D Registration”, herebyincorporated by reference.

In order to maintain registration accuracy, the navigation system 20continuously can track the position of the patient 28 duringregistration and navigation with the dynamic reference frame 58. This isbecause the patient 28, dynamic reference frame 58, and transmitter coilarray 52 may all move during the procedure, even when this movement isnot desired. Alternatively the patient 28 may be held immobile once theregistration has occurred, such as with a head frame. Therefore, if thenavigation system 20 did not track the position of the patient 28 orarea of the anatomy, any patient movement after image acquisition wouldresult in inaccurate navigation within that image. The dynamic referenceframe 58 allows the tracking system 50 to track the anatomy and canassist in registration. Because the dynamic reference frame 58 isrigidly fixed to the patient 28, any movement of the anatomy or thetransmitter coil array 52 is detected as the relative motion between thetransmitter coil array 52 and the dynamic reference frame 58. Thisrelative motion is communicated to the coil array controller 54, via thenavigation probe interface 56, which updates the registrationcorrelation to thereby maintain accurate navigation.

The dynamic reference frame 58 can be affixed to any appropriate portionof the patient 28, and can be used to register the patient space to theimage data, as discussed above. For example, when a procedure is beingperformed relative to a cranium 29, the dynamic reference frame 58 canbe interconnected with the cranium 29. The dynamic reference frame 58can be interconnected with the cranium 29 in any appropriate manner,such as those discussed herein according to various embodiments.

Navigation can be assisted with registration and the navigation system20 can detect both the position of the patient's anatomy and theposition of the device 58 or attachment member (e.g. tracking sensor 94)attached to the instrument 24. Knowing the location of these two itemsallows the navigation system 20 to compute and display the position ofthe instrument 24 or any portion thereof in relation to the patient 28.The tracking system 50 is employed to track the instrument 24 and theanatomy 28 simultaneously.

The tracking system 50, if it is using an electromagnetic trackingassembly, can work by positioning the transmitter coil array 52 adjacentto the patient space to generate a magnetic field, which can be lowenergy, generally referred to as a navigation field. Because every pointin the navigation field or patient space is associated with a uniquefield strength, the electromagnetic tracking system 50 can determine theposition of the instrument 24 by measuring the field strength at thetracking device 94 location. The dynamic reference frame 58 is fixed tothe patient 28 to identify the location of the patient 28 in thenavigation field. The electromagnetic tracking system 50 continuouslyrecomputes the relative position of the dynamic reference frame 58 andthe instrument 24 during localization and relates this spatialinformation to patient registration data to enable image guidance of theinstrument 24 within and/or relative to the patient 28.

To obtain maximum accuracy it can be selected to fix the dynamicreference frame 58 in each of at least 6 degrees of freedom. Thus, thedynamic reference frame 58 or any of the tracking sensors 258 can befixed relative to axial motion X, translational motion Y, rotationalmotion Z, yaw, pitch, and roll relative to the portion of the patient 28to which it is attached. Any appropriate coordinate system can be usedto describe the various degrees of freedom. Fixing the dynamic referenceframe relative to the patient 28 in this manner can assist inmaintaining maximum accuracy of the navigation system 20.

The instrument 24 can be any appropriate instrument (e.g., a catheter, aprobe, a guide, etc.) and can be used for various procedures andmethods, such as delivering a material to a selected portion of thepatient 28, such as within the cranium 29. Other exemplary instrumentscan also be implantable members, scissors, clamps, retractors, etc. Thematerial can be any appropriate material such as a bioactive material, apharmacological material, a contrast agent, or any appropriate material.As discussed further herein, the instrument 24 can be preciselypositioned via the navigation system 20 and otherwise used to achieve aprotocol for positioning the material relative to the patient 28 in anyappropriate manner, such as within the cranium 29. The instrument 24 mayalso include a brain probe to perform deep brain stimulation.

Determination of or information relating to the current instrument 24 atany point in time can assist the navigation system 20 in displaying anappropriate location or icon on the display 22. For example, an iconrepresenting a particular instrument can be used as well as an exactsize or shape of the particular instrument. Therefore, an instrumentidentification system according to various embodiments is taught. Thenavigation system 20 can be used with an identification system 100, asillustrated in FIG. 2. The identification system 100 can include a radiofrequency identification (RFID) or information system. Such RFID systemsinclude those sold by Precimed, Inc. of Exton, Pa. or MBBS S.A. ofCocelles, Switzerland.

The RFID identification system 100 can generally include an informationRFID tag or member 102 and an RFID reader 104. The RFID tag 102 cantransmit or be induced to transmit a signal 106 that can be received asa reception signal 108 by the RFID reader 104. The signal induced orsent by the RFID tag 102 can be any appropriate signal, such as one thatis induced by a power signal from the RFID reader 104, a signal poweredby an onboard system in the RFID tag 102, or any appropriate manner. TheRFID reader 104 can be interconnected through a communication line 110with the workstation 42. It will be understood, however, that a wirelesssystem can also be used to transmit information from the RFID reader 104to the work station 42.

Returning reference to FIG. 1, the RFID reader 104 can be provided inany appropriate location in an operating theater. For example, the RFIDreader 104 can be integrated with the localizer array 52 (shown inplantom). Also, the RFID reader 104 can be integrated into the bed 84,the array 52, or any appropriate location. Although multiple RFIDreaders can be provided, an RFID reader can be provided with thelocalizer array 52 to insure that an instrument that is in thenavigation field is the appropriate instrument or is being appropriatelyillustrated on the display 22. Therefore, the RFID reader 104 can beprovided in any appropriate location within an operating theater.

As discussed above, the localizer array 52 can include electromagneticcoils that can send or receive electromagnetic fields. Therefore,according to various embodiments, the coils provided in the localizerarray 52 can also serve as the RFID reader 104. Therefore, not only canthe RFID reader 104 be integrated with the localizer array 52, thelocalizer array 52 can act as the RFID reader 104, according to variousembodiments. This can be provided if the RFID tags 102 are provided totransmit or receive on the appropriate frequencies used with the coilarray 52.

An RFID processor 112 can also be provided in the communication line110A′ and 110B′ between the RFID reader 104 and the workstation 42. TheRFID processor 112 can be used to process the signal from the RFIDreader 104 for interpretation by a processor on the work station 42.Therefore, the processor provided in the work station 42 can be selectedto simply execute instructions related to the information provided fromthe RFID processor 112. It will be understood, however, that the RFIDprocessor 112 can be provided as a single unit with the RFID reader 104or can be provided in the work station 42 according to variousembodiments.

The RFID tag 102 can be provided on any appropriate portion that can beused in an operating theater, and can include any appropriate tag. Forexample, RFID tags can include those provided by MBBS of Switzerland.The RFID tag 102 can be programmed with a certain amount and type ofinformation or data at any appropriate time. For example, a selectedinformation can be programmed or stored at manufacturing or atintegration of the RFID tag 102 with the instrument 24. The informationcan include any appropriate information, such as size of the instrument24, material of manufacturing, manufacturing information, and the like.The RFID tag 102 can also be provided with a mechanism to change or addinformation at a later time. For example, a calibration change ororientation change can occur and can alter the correctness of theinformation on the RFID tag 102 after manufacturing.

With reference to FIG. 3, an instrumentation set 120 can be used as theinstrument 24 and can be used with the identification system 100. Theinstrumentation set 120 can include numerous components, such as ahandle 122 and a working or interchangeable portion 123 including aprobe 124, an awl 126, and a tap 128. The instrument system 120 can beused for a single procedure on a single patient or between multiplepatients in multiple procedures. Nevertheless, the working portion 123of the system 120 can include each of the probe 124, the awl 126, andthe tap 128. Each of the working portions 123 can include quick connectportions 124 a, 126 a, and 128 a for each of the respective components.The working portion 123 can be interconnected with a quick connectportion 130 of the handle 122 during an operating procedure. If theworking portion 123 is being navigated on the display 22 or displayedrelative to the image data 23, the particular working portion 123 may beselected to be particularly illustrated on the display 22 (FIGS. 6A and6B). Further, each of the various working portions 123, can includedifferent dimensions, such as lengths, diameter, angles, configurationsand the like. The specific information relating to each of theparticular working portions 123 can also be specifically displayed orillustrated on the display 22 at a selected time, as discussed herein.

The many different types of information that can be stored or saved onthe RFID tag 102 can include calibration information which can includedifferent instrument specific information. For example, the position ofa tip of the instrument 24 can be saved or stored on the RFID tag 102which can also include a length of the instrument, to determine aposition of the tip of the instrument 24. Also, other informationregarding calibration can include a configuration, an angle, anorientation, or the like. The calibration information saved on the RFIDtag 102 can include specific information that can be used for variouspurposes, such as being displayed on the display 22 (FIG. 6A-FIG. 6B).As discussed further herein the calibration information, that includesinformation such as size and tip location, can be used to determine anappropriate icon or appropriate rendering of the instruments beingdisplayed on the display 22.

During an operative procedure, interconnecting the selected workingportion 123 with the handle 122 can be displayed on the display 22 bythe reading of the particular RFID tag 102 on one of the working portion123. In this regard, each of the working portion 123 can include an RFIDtag 102, such as a first RFID tag 132 on the probe 124, a second RFIDtag 134 on the awl 126, and a third RFID tag 136 on the tap 138. Themultiple RFID tags 132-136 can provide specific information for theparts 124-128 of the working portion 123 to which they are attached. TheRFID reader 104 can be used to read the RFID tag 132-136 interconnectedwith a particular working portion 123. The RFID reader 104 can beprovided in any appropriate manner, including that discussed furtherherein. Nevertheless, particular information can be provided on the RFIDtags 132-136 for use by the navigation system 20 to assist in navigatingthe instrument 24. As discussed above, the information can includelength, diameter, angle, and the like of the working portion 123.

Further, various additional information can be added to the particularRFID tags 102 at a selected time. For example, each time the particularinstrument is used in a procedure it can be selected to determine orwrite to the RFID tag 132-136 that a particular procedure has beenperformed with the particular instrument. Therefore, a lifetime ornumber of work cycles of the particular working portion can be stored onthe different RFID tag 132-136 and be specifically determined for eachof the individual working member 123.

Exemplary information can include a calibration information that can beprovided regarding one particular instrument, including the length,diameter and the like of the instrument. Because of a writingcapability, a user can select to change or recalibrate the informationon the RFID tag 102 regarding the particular working portion 123. Forexample, the probe 124 may change over a life span of the probe 124.Although the change in the probe 124 can change its length, angle, orthe like, it can still be usable. Therefore, calibration informationrelating to the particular probe 124 can be read and rewritten to thefirst RFID tag 132.

As one skilled in the art will understand, the position of variousinstruments can be used to assist in navigating or tracking aninstrument relative to the patient 28. Further, various information canbe determined intraoperably, such as a length of a particular tool,particularly when the tracking device 94 is attached intraoperatively.For example, the tracking device can be interconnected with theinstrument 24 and can be intraoperatively calibrated by touching areference point, such as a portion of the DRF 58. The tracking system 50can then determine a position of the tracking device 94 relative to atip of the instrument 24. It will be understood that this informationcan also be written to the RFID tag 102, if selected. Nevertheless, theposition of the tracking device 94 may be moved from operation tooperation, thus providing such calibration information from acalibration performed intraoperatively may or may not be written, andcan depend on various conditions.

Nevertheless, further calibration information can be provided to theRFID tag 102 at any appropriate time. The calibration information caninclude size, tip location, angulations or orientation of the instrument24, or any other appropriate information. It will be understood that theinformation can generally be used by the navigation system 20 fordisplay on the display 22. As discussed further herein, the calibrationinformation can be used to select an appropriate icon, render anappropriate icon, determine the location of a portion of the iconrelative to a particular part of the image data 23, or other appropriateinformation.

The identity of the particular working portion 123 can be encoded orstored on the RFID tags 132-136. The particular identification of theworking portion 123 can be provided to the navigation system 20 forvarious appropriate purposes. As discussed above, the navigation system20 can be used to navigate a procedure relative to the patient 28.Further, the navigation system 20, or any appropriate system, can beused to plan a procedure relative to the patient 28. The plannedprocedure can be provided with a navigation system 20 or loaded onto thenavigation system 20 for use during a procedure on the patient 28. Aspart of the plan, the identity of instruments to be used on the patient28 can be included in the plan that is provided on the navigation system20. Thus, during an actual procedure, the identity of the particularworking portion 123 provided for a use on the patient 28 can beverified.

With reference to FIG. 4, a kit for a surgical procedure 140 isillustrated. The kit 140 can include various portions, such as thehandle 122, the working portions 123, including various lengths, such asa first length probe 124A, and a second length of a probe 124B, twolengths of awls 126A, 126B and two lengths of taps 128A, 128B. Furtheradditional portions can be provided by the kit 140, such as implants ofvarious lengths 142,144, and 146. The implants 142-146 can also bedifferent types of implants, different sizes of implants, or the like.Also, a stylet 148 can be provided along with any other appropriateinstruments, such as a scissor 150.

Each of the multiple instruments or portions of the kit 140 can beprovided with a specific RFID tag, as discussed above. Further, a trayRFID tag 152 can also be provided. The multiple RFID tags can be readwith the RFID reader 104 and the information transferred to the workstation 42. Thus, prior to a procedure, verification of particularinstruments, particular implants, or the like can be provided to thework station 42 for verification by a user, such as the surgeon 121 or anurse, before opening or breaking the sterility of the kit 140. Further,the verification of the appropriate instrument or working portions 123can be provided before opening the kit 140 or beginning a procedure onthe patient 28 by being compared to a plan stored in the workstation 42.The RFID tags, including the tray RFID tag 152 can be provided to insurethat an appropriate system, instrument, or implant is being provided fora particular procedure on a particular patient.

As discussed above, the plan for a particular patient or a procedure canbe provided in the work station 42. Therefore, once the RFID reader hasread the RFID tags provided in the kit 140, the plan, such as aninstrument table stored as a part of the plan, can be used to confirmthe presence of the appropriate instrument or implants. Also, this canallow a period to obtain a different or appropriate instrument orimplants if they are needed. This also can provide an error check orconfirmation for a particular procedure.

The kit 140 can include the implants 142, 144, 146, and 147. Theimplants can be the same, such as implants 142-146 in different sizes,or can include a different implant, such as a spinal implant 147.Nevertheless, each of the implant portions can include a respective RFIDtag or identification member 142 a, 144 a, 146 a, and 147 a. Like theRFID tags that are provided for each of the various instruments, theRFID tags 142 a, 144 a, 146 a, and 147 a on each of the implants 142-147can be read with the RFID reader 104. Briefly, this can allow thedetermination or verification of an appropriate implant being used at aparticular time, such as within a particular step of the plan for theprocedure.

In addition, the RFID tags 142 a-147 a, can be used to ensure thatappropriate implants are provided in the kit 140. Also, the RFID tags onthe implants can be used in a post-operative survey to ensure that allof the appropriate implants are positioned in the patient as defined bythe pre-operative plan or by the surgeon intra-operatively. Therefore,one skilled in the art will understand that the RFID tags can beprovided on the implants as well as the instruments for variouspurposes, such as identification and verification.

With reference to each of the Figs. above, and additional reference toFIG. 5, an exemplary system or method is illustrated in a flow chart160. The flow chart 160 is only an exemplary method, and is providedmerely to illustrate the system according to various embodiments for usewith a navigation system. The RFID tags can be provided on variousinstruments and implants in block 162. Various information can be inputinto the RFID tag in block 164. As discussed above, the particularinformation stored on the RFID tag can include calibration information,length information, size information, manufacturing information, or anyappropriate type of information. Further, the information stored intothe RFID tag can be written at any appropriate time, as discussed above.For example, the information can be provided during a particularprocedure, subsequent to a particular procedure, or at any appropriatetime. The information written into the RFID tag can include informationchanged by a particular user or by a supplier, manufacturer, or thelike.

A procedure can then be planned with particular instruments or implantsin block 166. The procedure planned in block 166 can include anyappropriate procedure, such as a neurological procedure, an orthopaedicprocedure, a cardiac procedure, or the like. For example, a procedurecan include a spinal implant, an ablation, a resection, or the like. Theprocedure planned in block 166 can also include the acquisition of imagedata of the patient 28 or any other appropriate information. Further,the procedure planned in block 166 can also include determining theappropriate instruments and implants for a particular procedure. Theparticular instruments and implants can be provided as part of the planfor input into the navigation system 20, including the work station 42.The planned procedure in block 166, therefore, can include anyappropriate information and can include particular information for aspecific planned procedure. It will be understood that the plan made inblock 166 can be altered at any appropriate time by an appropriateindividual, such as the user 121. Providing the plan 166, however, canbe used to insure that a procedure actually performed substantiallymatches or adheres to a planned procedure.

Once the plan has been produced in block 166 and the information ofvarious implants or instruments are provided on various RFID tags toprovided therewith, the instruments and implants can be prepared for theprocedure or plan in block 168. Preparing the implants and theinstruments for the procedure can include any appropriate preparation,such as obtaining them, providing them in a tray, sterilizing theimplants, preparing patient specific implants, or the like. Theinstruments prepared for the procedure block 168, however, can then beprovided to an operating theater for the planned procedure. Providingthe implants and the instruments to the operating theater can includeany appropriate step, such as moving a sterilized tray or container toan operating theater for use by a particular user, such as the surgeon121.

Once the instruments and implants are provided to the operating theater,the RFID tags on the instruments and implants can be read in block 170.The information read in block 170 can be read with the RFID reader 104,discussed above, or with any appropriate system. Further, as discussedabove, the RFID reader 104 can be integral with the navigation system20, including a separate reader, or be provided in any appropriatemanner. The information read from the RFID tags in block 170, however,can be transferred to the work station 42 in block 172. The informationtransferred to the work station can be transferred in any appropriatemanner, including the transmission line 110 discussed above, a wirelesssystem, a hard disk or hard media, or in any appropriate manner.

Nevertheless, the information read from the RFID tags in block 170 canbe transferred to the work station 42 for any appropriate purpose. Forexample, the data read from the tags on block 170 and transferred inblock 172 can be compared to the plan from block 166 in block 174.Comparing the plan in block 174 can include insuring that each of theappropriate instruments and implants have been provided and prepared inblock 168. Therefore, the comparison in block 174 can be to insure thatall the appropriate instruments, all the appropriate preparation ofinstruments or implants, or any other preparation has occurred and eachare being provided to the operating theater.

A decision block 176 can be used to insure that each appropriateinstrument and implant is being provided to the operating theater. Whencomparing the information that is transferred to the work station fromblock 174, the decision block 176 can be used to insure that all of theappropriate instruments and implants are provided to an operatingtheater. If the determination is NO in, block 180, different oradditional instruments can be prepared in block 168. Therefore, theprocedure 160 can be part of a process to insure that each of theappropriate instruments and implants are provided to an operatingtheater. Generally, at least this portion, determining that theinstruments and implants are appropriate for the plan, can be performedbefore the patient 28 is prepped for a procedure. Although it can beunderstood that the determination can occur at any time, it can beselected to insure that the appropriate instruments and implants areprovided in a selected manner prior to exposing the patient 28 to theoperating theater or an operating procedure. The other alternative isYES in block 182, which can allow the procedure to continue.

Once it has been determined that each of the appropriate implants andinstruments are provided, the implants and instruments can be assembledin a selected manner in block 184. The assembly of the instruments andimplants can be in any appropriate manner, such as interconnecting aworking portion 123 with the handle 122. The assembly of the instrumentsor the implants can be used to perform a selected portion of theprocedure or plan, as discussed above.

The information from the RFID tag from a selected or active instrumentcan be read in block 186. As discussed above, the RFID reader 104 can beprovided in the operating theater, such that when the interconnection ofan instrument or implant is performed, the RFID reader 104 can alsoconfirm that the appropriate instrument or implant has been assembled oris being provided relative to the patient 28 according to the plan inblock 166. The active instrument is generally one or more instrumentsabout to be used in the procedure and in or near parent space. Theinformation can be read from the RFID tag at any appropriate time, suchas when an RFID tag is moved into the navigation field. As discussedabove, the navigation array or localizer 52 can be used as the RFIDreader 104 or an RFID reader 104 can be integrated therewith to insurethat when an instrument or implant moves into the navigation field, itcan be compared relative to the plan to insure that the appropriateinstrument or implant is being provided at an appropriate time accordingto the plan.

The reading of the tag of the particular instrument or implant in block186 can be performed at any appropriate time and according to anyappropriate process. For example, when a tag comes within the field ofinfluence of the RFID reader 104, the RFID reader 104 can automaticallyobtain information from the RFID tag 102. Therefore, the obtaining orreading of the information by the RFID reader 104 in block 186 can bedone substantially automatically. In addition, various inputs can beprovided to provide instructions or prompts to the RFID reader 104 toobtain the information from the RFID tag. For example, a user canactivate the RFID reader 104, according to various embodiments, toobtain information from the RFID tag. Alternatively, or in addition, aswitch or portion can be interconnected with a portion of theinstrument, such as the handle 122, to provide an instruction to theRFID reader 104 to obtain information from the RFID tag. Therefore,obtaining information from the RFID tag can occur at any appropriatetime and can be done substantially automatically or with an input, whichcan be from a user or other portion of the system.

As discussed above, the information can be obtained from the RFID tag102 in any appropriate manner, such as automatically, with user input,or a combination thereof. For example, the information from the RFID tag102 can be read by the RFID reader 104 when positioned relative to thearray 52, substantially automatically. Therefore, the user 121 can bealleviated from a responsibility of inputting the appropriateinformation into the navigation system 20 using various inputs, such asthe user input 44. For example, the user 121 maybe required to input apart number, calibration information, size information, identifyinginformation, select an icon, or the like if an automatic system is notprovided. Nevertheless, an automatic system can substantially eliminatethe need of the user 121 to select or input the appropriate information.Further, the RFID reader 104 can read selected information based upon aninput of the user, which can alleviate the user from inputting thedetailed information and only requiring that the user to indicate to thenavigation system 20 that the RFID reader 104 should read a particularRFID tag 102. Therefore, it will be understood that the RFID reader 104can read information from the RFID tag to alleviate the user 121 fromvarious tasks, such as inputting information relating to the instrument24. Further, particular information can be stored in the memory 46, suchas calibration information, size information, orientation information,and the like and the RFID tag 102 can simply identify the instrumentthrough the RFID reader 104 for the workstation 42 and the workstationcan recall the particular information. Alternatively, the RFID tag 102can include all of the information required for performing or creatingan appropriate icon for display on the display 22 that can be read withthe RFID reader 104.

A determination block 188 can be provided to insure that the appropriateinstrument or implant is being provided according to the plan formed inblock 166. If the determination is NO in block 190 a differentinstrument or implant can be assembled in block 184 and the informationcan be read from the new instrument and compared as discussed above. Theinstrumentation and implant assembly can also be done with confidenceaccording to the present teachings to insure that the procedure is beingperformed according to the plan 166. Although it will be understood byone skilled in the art that a plan can be altered intraoperatively, theprocedure 160 can be provided to insure that if a deviation is made thatit is specifically selected by a user, such as the surgeon 121, for thepatient 28. Therefore, if the determination is YES in block 192, theinstrument or implant that is read can be navigated in block 194.

The navigation in block 194 can proceed according to any appropriatemanner, such as those discussed above or understood by one skilled inthe art. For example, an icon can be displayed on the display 22relative to the image data 23 to illustrate the position of theinstrument 24 relative to the image data 23. Further, because of thespecific information provided from the RFID tag read in block 186, thedisplay can provide a specific illustration of the instrument or implantbeing navigated in block 194. As the information changes, the workstation 42 can provide an appropriate icon on the display 22 tosubstantially match or mimic the particular implant or instrument beingnavigated in block 194. Therefore, the procedure 160 can not onlyconfirm that a particular plan is being performed, but can also providea specific illustration on the display 22 relative to the particularimplant or instrument being provided or used. The display of thenavigation in block 196 can include the appropriate illustration and thetrajectory of an instrument or implant.

Finally, in block 198 the procedure can be completed or performed. Thecompletion of the procedure can include implanting an implant,performing a resection, an ablation, or the like. Nevertheless, theprocedure can be performed according to the plan formed in block 166 andnavigated with the appropriate navigation system 20. Further, theprovision of the particular information can be used to insure that theplan in block 166 has been done with only a selected or particulardeviation from the plan inputted in block 166, if desired, or with aparticular display on the display 22.

Although one skilled in the art will understand that any appropriateinformation can be displayed on the display 22 or can be provided in theRFID tag 102, the above-described system is merely exemplary andprovided as an example of a selected procedure and instrumentation. Forexample, as discussed above, new information can be provided onto theRFID tag 102 to be read with the RFID reader 104, which can also beillustrated on the display 22. Further, additional information on thedisplay 22 can include displaying when a particular instrument may bereplaced, recalibrated, altered, or the like.

As discussed above, with reference to the flow chart 160 illustrated inFIG. 5, the information provided from the RFID tag 102, according tovarious embodiments, can be used to display on the display 22 particularinformation. For example, navigation in block 194 can includeillustrating a selected icon on the display 22. With reference to FIGS.6A and 6B a particular instrument, such as a working portion thereof,can be displayed on the display 22 for navigation.

For example, with reference to FIG. 6A, the probe 124 can beinterconnected with the handle 122. The RFID reader 104 positioned nearthe operating theater and near the probe 124 so that it can read theinformation from the RFID tag 132, such as in block 170. The informationcan be transferred along communication line 110 as described in block187. The information transferred in block 187 can include anyappropriate information such as an identification of the probe 124,calibration of the probe 124, or any other appropriate information. Theinformation transferred from the RFID tag 132 to the work station 42 canbe used to form an icon 124 i (e.g. the information can include arendering or calibration information of the probe 124) of the probe 124on the display 22. It will be understood that the icon 124 i can bedisplayed relative to image data of the patient 28. However, theidentification of the probe 124 can be used to display an appropriatesize, configuration, geometry, and the like. Therefore, the display 22can substantially match the configuration of the probe 124. Further,various calibration information from the RFID tag 132 can be used toensure that the position of various portions of the probe 124 areillustrated appropriated on the display 22.

With reference to FIG. 6B, a different one of the working portion 123can be interconnected with the handle 122. For example, the tap 128 canbe interconnected with the handle 122 that includes the RFID tag 136.The RFID tag 136 can be read by the RFID reader 104 and the informationcan be transferred along the communication line 110 to the work station42. Due to the information from the RFID tag 136 read by the RFID reader104 the display 22 can change the icon to an icon of the tap 128i. Notonly can the icon change to the tap icon 128i, the information from theRFID tag 136 can be used to ensure that appropriate configuration, size,geometry, and the like are illustrated on the display 22.

With continued reference to FIG. 6A-FIG. 6B, and according to variousembodiments, the determination of an appropriate icon for display on thedisplay 22 can include various pieces of information. For example, aspecific location of the tip of the instrument 24 relative to a portionof the patient 28 for display on the image data 23 can be determinedbased upon the various calibration and other specific information storedand read from the RFID tag 102. Thus, the display 22 can display theappropriate location of the instrument 24 by displaying an icon basedupon the calibration information. This can assist in determining aposition of the tip of the instrument 24 relative to a selected of thepatient 28 for applying a therapy, minimizing contact with the portionof the anatomy, or other appropriate purposes. Further, as discussedabove, the reading of the RFID tag 102 by the RFID reader 104 can besubstantially automatic, performed with user input, or any appropriatecombination thereof.

Therefore, the flow chart 160 can be used to assist the surgeon 121 invarious tasks such as ensuring that the appropriate instrumentation isprovided to the operating theater, a particular plan can be performedwith the instruments and implants provided, or an illustration of theappropriate icon is on the display 22. As discussed above, as theworking portion is interchanged with the handle 122, the display 22 candisplay an appropriate icon, such as the probe icon 124 i or the tapicon 128i. This allows the display 22 to display the appropriateinstrumentation for navigation relative to the patient 28. It will befurther understood that the RFID reader 104 can be positioned andsubstantially automatically read the RFID tags 102 on the variousportions of the instrument so that the display 22 can illustrate theappropriate instrument substantially automatically. Further, variousmechanisms can be provided to ensure that the display 22 is updated atan appropriate time, such as when the tap 128 is exchanged for the probe124 with the handle 122. Various mechanisms can be provided such as afoot switch, a touch screen, a connection to the handle 122, or the liketo provide a signal to the work station 42 that a change has occurred.Also, the RFID reader 104 alone can substantially automatically read theappropriate RFID tag 132, 136 and sense the difference in the RFID tagsand change or transmit the information to the work station 42 to changethe display 22. Therefore, the RFID reader 104 can allow for asubstantially automatic change of the display 22 without user input dueto the substantially active nature of obtaining the data from the RFIDtags.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system to determine information related to aselected device used with a surgical navigation system for navigating aprocedure relative to an anatomy, the system comprising: a surgicalinstrument operable to perform a surgical procedure on the anatomy; anidentification member associated with the surgical instrument andincluding selected information related to the surgical instrument; atracking device associated with the surgical instrument; a trackingsystem operable to track a location of the tracking device; a navigationprocessor operable to determine the position of the surgical instrumentbased upon the tracked position of the tracking device and determine anidentity of the surgical instrument based upon the selected information;and a display operable to display an icon representing the specificsurgical instrument based upon the selected information.
 2. The systemof claim 1 further comprising: a receiver, wherein the identificationmember includes a radio frequency tag; wherein the radio frequency tagis operable to transmit a signal to the receiver including the selectedinformation stored on the radio frequency tag.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the surgical instrument includes a plurality of surgicalinstruments: wherein the identification member includes a plurality ofidentification members; wherein each of the plurality of surgicalinstruments includes at least one of the plurality of identificationmembers; wherein each of the plurality of identification membersincludes specific selected information relating to each of the pluralityof the surgical instruments.
 4. The system of claim 3, furthercomprising: an identification member reader; wherein the identificationmember reader is operable to obtain information from each of theplurality of identification members relating to each of the plurality ofsurgical instruments.
 5. The system of claim 4 further comprising: acommunication system; wherein the communication system interconnects theidentification member reader and the navigation processor; wherein thenavigation processor is operable to cause the display to display arepresentation of the selected information read from the identificationmember associated with one of the plurality of surgical instruments. 6.The system of claim 4, wherein the tracking system includes anelectromagnetic coil localizer; wherein the electromagnetic coillocalizer is operable to obtain data from the identification member. 7.The system of claim 6, further comprising: a communication systemoperable to interconnect the tracking system and the navigationprocessor; wherein the navigation processor is operable to determine theidentification of the surgical instrument based upon the datatransferred to the navigation processor from the identification member.8. The system of claim 7, wherein the instrument displayed on thedisplay is based upon the information transferred to the navigationprocessor from the identification member; and an alert system operableto indicate to a user the appropriateness of the surgical instrumentdisplayed on the display.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thenavigation processor is operable to compare the displayed instrument toa plan.
 10. The system of claim 4, wherein the tracking system includesa localizer; wherein the localizer and the information member reader areone item.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an alert systemoperable to provide an alert to a user regarding the appropriateness ofthe specific instrument displayed on the display.
 12. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the selected information includes at least one ofcalibration information, orientation information, size information,sterilization condition information, use information, or combinationsthereof.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrumentincludes a plurality of surgical instruments; wherein one of a pluralityof icons can be displayed on the display to represent one of theplurality of instruments; wherein the navigation processor is operableto select one of the plurality of icons based on the selectedinformation.
 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a writingsystem; and wherein the writing system is operable to write the selectedinformation to the identification member.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the writing system is operable to write the selected informationto the identification member during a plurality of writing instances.16. The system of claim 14, wherein the writing system is operable towrite the selected information to the identification member to include achange in calibration information after a use of the surgicalinstruments.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrumentincludes at least one of an awl, a drill bit, a screw, a prosthesis, atap, a probe, or combinations thereof.
 18. A system to determineinformation related to a selected device used with a surgical navigationsystem for navigating a procedure relative to an anatomy, the systemcomprising: an information tag operable to receive and transmit selectedinformation; an information tag reader operable to at least one of readinformation from, write information to, or combinations thereof relativeto the information tag; a surgical instrument associated with theinformation tag wherein the information tag includes informationspecific to the surgical instrument; a navigation system; acommunication system interconnecting the information tag reader and thenavigation system wherein information read from the information tag istransmitted to the navigation system; and a display operable to displayinformation regarding the surgical instrument based upon the informationread by the information tag reader from the information tag.
 19. Thesystem of Clam 18, wherein the information tag includes a flash memorystorage system interconnected with at least one of a transmissionsystem, a receiving system, or combinations thereof.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the information tag reader is operable to receive datatransmitted from the information tag.
 21. The system of claim 20,wherein the information tag reader includes a radio frequencytransceiver operable to receive data from the information tag.
 22. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the surgical instrument includes a firstportion and a plurality of a second portion; wherein each of theplurality of second portions are operable to be interconnected with thefirst portion at a selected time.
 23. The system of claim 22, furthercomprising: an automatic information tag reader system operable toautomatically obtain information from the information tag via theinformation tag reader and transmit the information via thecommunication system to the navigation system.
 24. The system of claim18, wherein the navigation system includes: a tracking device; alocalizer; wherein the surgical instrument is associated with thetracking device to be tracked via the localizer; wherein the position ofthe surgical instrument can be displayed with the information on thedisplay.
 25. The system of claim 18, further comprising: an imagingdevice operable to obtain image data of the anatomy; wherein the imagedata of the anatomy can be displayed on the display with the informationread from the information tag.
 26. The system of claim 18, wherein theinformation specific to the surgical instrument includes informationrelating to manufacturing of the surgical instrument, informationrelating to a calibration of the surgical instrument at the time ofmanufacturing, information regarding calibration of the instrument at atime after manufacturing information regarding size of the surgicalinstrument, or combinations thereof.
 27. The system of claim 18, furthercomprising: a writing system; and wherein the writing system is operableto write the selected information to the identification member.
 28. Thesystem of claim 27, wherein the writing system is operable to write theselected information to the identification member during a plurality ofwriting instances.
 29. The system of claim 27, wherein the writingsystem is operable to write the selected information to theidentification member to include a change in calibration informationafter a use of the surgical instruments.
 30. The system of claim 18,wherein the surgical instrument includes at least one of an awl, a drillbit, a screw, a prosthesis, a tap, a probe, or combinations thereof. 31.A method of using a system to determine information related to aselected device used with a surgical navigation system for navigating aprocedure relative to an anatomy, the method comprising: providing asurgical instrument; associating an information member with the surgicalinstrument; storing data on the information member describingcharacteristics of the surgical instrument; retrieving the data from theinformation member; providing the retrieved data to the surgicalnavigation system; and using the provided information during anoperative procedure.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein providing thesurgical instrument includes providing a first portion of the surgicalinstrument and providing a plurality of second portions of the surgicalinstrument; wherein the first portion and each of the plurality ofsecond portions can be interconnected for use during a surgicalprocedure.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the associating theinformation member with the surgical instrument includes associating theinformation member with each of the first portion and each of theplurality of second portions; wherein storing data on the informationmember includes storing information on the information member that isspecific to each of the first portion and each of the plurality ofsecond portions.
 34. The method of claim 31, wherein storing the data onthe information member includes writing data on the information memberduring at least one of a manufacturing process, a calibration process, atracking process, an identification process, or combinations thereof.35. The method of claim 31, wherein storing data on the informationmember includes writing the data on the information member via a radiofrequency transmission.
 36. The method of claim 31, wherein retrievingthe data from the information member includes retrieving the data fromthe information member via a radio frequency transmission.
 37. Themethod of claim 36, wherein the radio frequency transmission is inducedby a radio frequency source; wherein the radio frequency transmission isoperable to be processed by a processor to determine informationrelating to the surgical instrument.
 38. The method of claim 31, whereinproviding the retrieved data to the surgical navigation system includestransmitting the data via a wired transmission system, a wirelesstransmission system, a media transmission system, or combinationsthereof.
 39. The method of claim 31, further comprising: navigating asurgical procedure with the surgical instrument relative to the anatomy;wherein using the provided information during an operative procedureincludes displaying specific information relating to the surgicalinstrument on a display; and viewing the information on the display by auser.
 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising: obtaining imagedata of the anatomy; displaying image data of the anatomy on thedisplay; and displaying the information regarding the surgicalinstrument on the display relative to the image data of the anatomy. 41.The method of claim 40, further comprising: tracking the surgicalinstruments; determining a position of the surgical instrument relativeto the anatomy; and determining a position of an icon on the displayrelative to the image data of the anatomy based at least in part on thetracking of the surgical instrument, the information provided from theinformation member, or combinations thereof.
 42. The method of claim 40,further comprising: providing a display; and displaying on the provideddisplay an icon representing a specific surgical instrument based atleast in part on the provided information from the information member.43. The method of claim 42, further comprising: changing an icon on thedisplay based upon changing data retrieved from the information member.44. The method of claim 43, wherein changing the data retrieved from theinformation member is instigated by providing a second surgicalinstrument including a second information member, an input from a user,or combinations thereof.
 45. The method of claim 31, further comprising:performing a procedure with the surgical instrument; obtainingre-calibration information by calibrating the surgical instrument afterperforming a procedure with the surgical instrument; and wherein storingdata with the information member includes storing the re-calibrationinformation on the information member.
 46. The method of claim 45,wherein storing data includes storing a size, storing a length, storingan orientation, storing a number of uses, or combinations thereof. 47.The method of claim 31, wherein providing a surgical instrument includesproviding at least one of an awl, a probe, a tap, a screw implant, aprosthesis, or combinations thereof.